Event-goers at Taste of Chicago 2023
The world’s largest food festival, Taste of Chicago, is back for a 44th year to celebrate the city’s culinary diversity. From Sept. 6 through 8, Grant Park’s annual fête is showcasing 40 food vendors, more than a dozen food trucks and main stage headliners like hip hop and R&B Grammy winner CeeLo Green, Australian alternative rock group Atlas Genius and Mexican music trio Yahritza y Su Esencia.
“Taste of Chicago has grown into a global institution, inviting Chicagoans and visitors alike to enjoy our city’s expansive culinary and cultural ecosystem,” says Mayor Brandon Johnson. “In addition to the renowned food experience, I’m thrilled to welcome the performing artists from Chicago and around the world to Grant Park for a must-see weekend of entertainment, cuisine and community unlike any other.”
Headlining performer CeeLo Green
The festival’s food vendors span local favorites like 90 Miles Cuban Café, Billy Goat Tavern, BJ’s Market & Bakery, Chicago Eats Market, Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, Sapori Trattoria, Seoul Taco, The Original Rainbow Cone and more.
“The Taste of Chicago showcases the incredible culinary diversity of our city’s 77 neighborhoods. Taste is a particularly important moment each year for our dynamic restaurant community,” said Sam Toia, president and CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association. “It offers a special bite of why we are the greatest culinary city in the world.”
A vendor at Taste of Chicago 2023
As they enjoy tempting cuisine, visitors can watch performances from local and emerging artists on the Goose Island Stage, like Gabacho, Asha Imuno and MJ Nebreda, along with DJ sets by Toyacoyah, DJ Hotrod and DJ Iggy to end each evening.
They can also relax and regroup in a designated beer hall and cocktail lounge, which serves alcoholic and spirit-free libations.
Headlining trio Yahritza y Su Esencia
Festival-goers can participate in family-friendly games and activities at Lifeway Kefir Family Village, get free dance lessons from Chicago SummerDance and partake in other special programs like Eli’s Cheesecake Birthday Celebration on Sept. 7 at 12:30 p.m., during which visitors can taste a free slice of a 1,000-pound ceremonial cheesecake from Eli’s while supplies last.
Following the success of Taste of Chicago in Rogers Park, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is presenting Taste of Chicago neighborhood events in Marquette Park (6743 S. Kedzie Ave.) on Sat., July 27 from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Pullman Park (11101 S. Cottage Grove Ave.) on Sat., Aug. 17 from 12 to 8 p.m. leading up to Taste of Chicago in Grant Park. Both events feature live music, food vendors, food trucks, Chicago SummerDance lessons and a children’s area with inflatables.
Visitors at Taste of Chicago 2023
“We’re proud to once again present Taste of Chicago in the neighborhoods; this year bringing Taste to the beautiful communities of Rogers Park, Marquette Park and Pullman Park before returning to Grant Park,” says DCASE commissioner Clinée Hedspeth. “Taste of Chicago provides a platform for small businesses to be discovered and our city’s stalwarts to shine—the diversity of the food, the music, and even more so, the people are what make Taste of Chicago an annual favorite.”
Full vendor details and entertainment lineups are available at tasteofchicago.us.
Photography by: Header by Patrick L. Pyszka, courtesy of the City of Chicago; photography of CeeLo Green by David Harris; photography of Yahritza y Su Esencia courtesy of Sony Columbia; all other photos by Walter S. Mitchell, courtesy of the City of Chicago
